A total of 168 cases of BSE have been confirmed to date in 2003, including one case from a depopulated herd. In addition, depopulation measures were applied in a further three cases where animals tested positive on the screening test but where it was not possible to confirm the result because of the condition of the sample. The number of confirmed cases this year represents a reduction of more than 46% on the corresponding period in 2002 when 313 cases were confirmed. These included four cases from depopulated herds.
Additional control measures were introduced in 1996 and 1997 in the light of new information relating to BSE. To date this year, all but two cases were in animals born prior to 1997 while nine of all confirmed cases were in animals born after 1996. Fewer than 2% of cases to date in 2003 and in 2002 were identified in animals aged six years or less at the time of diagnosis, compared with 16% and 40% in that category in 2001 and 2000 respectively. The overall trend, therefore, provides confidence in the effectiveness of the control measures.
The increasing age profile of animals in which the disease is confirmed and the declining numbers of BSE cases are positive indications that the enhanced controls introduced in 1996 and 1997 are having the desired effect and that the incidence of BSE will continue to decline in 2004 and later as older animals leave the system.